On June 2^nd 2010, Dr. Jalal Dabeek, Director of the Earth Sciences and Seismic Engineering Center (ESSEC) at the University, participated in a workshop that was organized by the National Authority for Disasters Risk Management. The workshop was titled "Activating the Role of Media in Disaster Management" and was held in Al-Tira in the northern part of Palestine. Representatives of various media institutions, civil defense, local ministries, as well as researchers and workers in the field of disaster management attended the event.

In the workshop, Dr. Dabeek delivered a presentation in which he spoke about the importance of media and the role it plays regarding disasters management according to Hyogo Framework for Action and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR). He also called upon the participating ministries to consider disaster reduction as a national priority that is based on a solid institutional platform. It is important to prepare all related bodies in the country to be ready to deal with disastrous situations.

Being ready to deal with a certain disaster requires preparation on the part of the different workers in all public safety institutions such as the civil defense and the ministry of health. However, promoting awareness among the people regarding disaster risks is as important as teaching them how to deal with such situations aftermath. Therefore, in order to educate the public about safety measures in time of hazard, the media's role has to be activated and directed towards the achievement of this goal.

Engineer Laith Daraghmeh from the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology recommended the use of alternative communication means in case traditional ones break down during a disaster. The workshop further recommended the establishment of awareness programs through which individuals are educated on emergency management by which they manage hazards in an effort to avoid or alleviate the impact of a certain disaster.

At the conclusion of the workshop, the participants came up with a number of recommendations and suggestions through which they stressed the importance of media before, during and after the disaster and its complementary relationship with local institutions that are concerned with disaster management and emergency procedures.

Wasef Eriqat, Director of the National Authority for Disaster Risk Management, said that the Authority will continue holding similar courses in the future and called upon the different related bodies and institutions to coordinate efforts with it in this respect.